The NHL’s bold plan to move to four conferences has been delayed after the National Hockey League Players’ Association denied approval for the new structure.

The NHL board of governors approved the new format at a meeting last month, but needed the consent of the union to implement the changes. After weeks of negotiating, that approval never came.

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NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friday the league has concluded it can’t satisfy the union’s concerns in time to get a schedule in place for next season. The NHL will proceed with its current six-division, two-conference structure in 2012-13.

“It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players,” Daly said in a news release.

The NHLPA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but according to ESPN, its concerns revolve around the increased travel for some teams in the proposed new setup.

The impetus for the change was the Atlanta Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg last off-season. This year the reincarnated Jets have taken the Thrashers’ place in the Southeast Division, but they had hoped to move to a more geographically friendly division in time for next season.

Now it appears as if Winnipeg will stay in the Southeast for at least one more season. The league is now proceeding with its current six-division setup for the 2012-13 season.

The new plan had called for four conferences, two with eight teams and two with seven teams. Every team would visit every NHL city at least once a year.

The top four teams from each conference would make the post-season. The first two rounds of the playoffs were to be played within the conferences with the aim of increasing regional rivalries.

The proposal passed the NHL’s board of governors by a large majority — 26-4 — although some Eastern-based teams did express concerns about increased travel.

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold was one of the proponents of the plan and is disappointed it’s not going through in time for next season.

“To say I am disappointed in the actions of the NHLPA to deny consent to implement realignment for next season is an understatement,” he wrote in an email to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “Our fans were universally excited to be playing against Midwestern teams in the previous old Norris Division.

“I’m disappointed for our fans, our employees and our players. It appears everyone wanted this to happen except the leaders of the players’ union. I pledge to Wild fans to continue to pursue this realignment plan as aggressively as possible.”

The Detroit Red Wings, who were to join Minnesota, Winnipeg, Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus, Nashville and Dallas in one of the new divisions, are also upset.

“We’d be disappointed if it’s on hold for a year,” Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press. “This is the first I’ve heard of it, but we’d be disappointed. We voted for realignment.”

The six other Canadian teams would also have had some new conference opponents. Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton would be joined by Colorado, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose and Phoenix. Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa would be placed with Boston, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay.

The fourth division was to include the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey, Carolina, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.

The league hasn’t shelved the new plan entirely. Daly said it will explore other options to get it approved for a future season.

“We believe the union acted unreasonably in violation of the league’s rights,” he said. “We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate.”

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